For Everton, 20-year-old midfielder Ross Barkley has grown into an important player for the Toffees, and losing him to a six-week knee injury doesn’t bode well for Roberto Martinez’s side in the short term.

According to The Guardian, Barkley injured his knee today as Everton began preparations for their opening Premier League competition against newboys Leicester City, and wore a knee brace when he exited the training ground. The certain extent of his injury will not be confirmed until his undergoes a scan on Saturday, but reports have detailed that his injury recovery time should be around six weeks.

In that case, Barkley would miss six games, and maybe a seventh, absent for contest vs. Leicester, Arsenal, Chelsea, West Bromwich Albion, Crystal Palace, Liverpool and Manchester United. Additionally, he would miss part of Everton’s Europa League and Capital One Cup competition.

Due to his great form a year ago, the midfielder recently signed four-year, £60,000-a-week contract this summer, keeping him at Goodison Park until 2018.

While Barkley totaled six goals in 34 appearances last season, his influence ddidn’t stop at his goal tally, since his technical play in the midfield made his team better as a whole. He was seen spearheading attacks, and his ability to do so earned him a World Cup spot on Roy Hodgson’s English squad.

Muhamed Besic, a new signing of Everton from Hungary’s Ferencvaros, is now poised to make his debut against Leicester City in place of Barkley.